The young striker was a massive hit during a loan spell with the Cards at the end of last season.

Crystal Palace ace Sharpling, 20, scored nine times in 14 matches to help steer the Conference club clear of any relegation threat.

Kingfield chief Colin Lippiatt checked out the speedy forward on Wednes-day, when Palace sent a reserve side to Farnborough Town.

Lippiatt said he wanted Sharpling on board but only if he could have him for the season, or permanently, rather than the three months originally suggested.

He said: "I didn't think a three-month loan was right and proper for the club because if Chris came in and went straight into the side it would send the wrong messages to strikers I've signed.

"I will be ringing Palace in the next day or two to ask them about the possibility of Chris staying for 12 months. If it's a 'yes' then I'll go back to the board."

Lippiatt went on: "The situation with Chris changed slightly when Steve Bruce came in as manager because he wanted to make an assessment of the players on his staff."

Sharpling proved an ideal partner up front for Charlie Griffin at Kingfield and after the miserable starts of previous seasons, most Cards fans would surely be grateful to have Sharpling for three weeks, never mind months.

New signings Warren Haughton and Scott Huckerby have yet to settle in and Martin Randall - whose Kingfield future is unclear - has looked the best option so far alongside Griffin.

The former Hayes forward was told by Lippiatt earlier this summer that he was no longer part of his plans. The manager said on Tuesday: "That's the way it could still pan out but Martin has reported back, trained hard and worked hard and his attitude has been excellent.

"He is in the same position as the other three strikers that the combination up front is still up for grabs."